Madness of March: Big Schools or Small?

Mandatory before starting any discussion about March Madness:



Now that we've set the mood, we can properly discuss the NCAA Tournament.

This is the time of year with unequaled sports nerd lingo, when discussions abound of "bubble teams", "RPI", "quality wins", and the one area of study every geek wishes he could study: "bracketology".

One week from today is Selection Sunday, when we will know the Field of 68; who is in, who is out, who is seeded where, and why.

But, putting away all the specific numbers, stats, and breakdowns, there is one debate that comes up almost every year: who deserves to be in the Big Dance more, big conference schools with average records, or small conference schools who perhaps played weaker opponents, but have better records?

For me, watching big conference schools limp into the NCAA Tournament is not only embarrassing, but not entertaining. In previous years, we have seen teams from conferences like the Pac-10, ACC, and SEC sneak into the field of 65 despite sub-par seasons and showings in their conference tournaments.



Meanwhile, teams from smaller conferences like the Mountain West, Colonial, and Horizon are snubbed because of lack of exposure or recognition.

What is the best case for small schools going dancing? Look no further than 2006 George Mason Patriots.

Their at-large selection was much-criticized, but, little did the "experts" know, the Patriots would make a run all the way to the Final 4, beating such perennial powerhouses as UConn, Michigan State, and North Carolina. Is it not more exciting to see an energetic, unknown team make a run toward the championship? At some point, it is good to get some fresh teams into the mix to see what they can do.

And, who doesn't want to see a pep band like this at a tournament game?

Mid-major programs that make a run in the NCAA Tournament are usually full of experienced upperclassmen who bring a more polished, refined game of basketball than major conferences, who many are many times full of freshman and sophomore phenoms.

These smaller schools shouldn't be used to fill a quota or anything like that, but a better mix of high-majors and mid-majors would make for a more well-rounded, interesting NCAA Tournament.

Let the madness begin.